Queensland Oaks start for Provocative still not confirmed

Queensland Oaks first emergency Provocative is still not a confirmed starter in the fillies classic and could take on the colts and gelding in the Group 1 $600,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The scratching of Beluga Blue, above, black and white colours, for the Queensland Oaks will allow Provocative to gain a start in the field. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Even though Provocative is guaranteed a start in the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2400m) which has been transferred to Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap Day following the abandonment of last Saturday’s meeting because of the wet weather, trainer Tony Pike is still considering running her in the Derby.

“The Oaks and the Derby will be on the same day so I’ll have a chat with the owners about which way we go,” Pike told nzracing.co.

“There’s a bit of water to go under the bridge yet and she’ll have a gallop on Tuesday and we’ll make a decision after that.”

The other fillies that were scratched on race morning, Ambience, and third and fourth emergencies Meru and Zafiki, will be reinstated back into the field.

The Zabeel filly was also out of luck at the barrier draw, coming up with gate twenty in the original draw, and will be ridden by Top Kiwi jockey Leith Innes takes over from Vinnie Colgan who rode the filly to a two and a quarter lengths win in a 2190m three year old handicap at Ipswich on May 18.

Provocative is the winner of three of her six race starts and the Kiwi filly first showed her staying ability with a win over 2100m at Ellerslie on February 4 when she won a Rating 65 Handicap by four lengths.

Provocative is prominent in the Queensland Oaks market order at $9 with Ladbrokes.com.au while in the Queensland Derby she is listed as an $11 chance.

Author: Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.